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The Worst and Best Leadership Styles: How to Improve Yours

Writer's picture: Kara MollKara Moll

Updated: Jan 29

Leadership is a skill that influences every facet of life—whether you’re managing a team, mentoring others, or guiding yourself toward personal goals. The most effective leaders inspire innovation and motivation, while ineffective leadership can hinder creativity and cause disengagement.


So, what are the best leadership styles, and how can you improve yours? Let’s dive in.


What Are the Best Leadership Styles?


Asian woman leading a team discussion

Transformational Leadership

Transformational leaders create a compelling vision for the future and help their teams see their role within that vision. They inspire individuals to reach goals they never thought possible, encouraging innovation and fostering personal growth.


How to Develop Transformational Leadership:


  • Practice positive reframing by focusing on solutions. For example, instead of saying, “This didn’t work,” try, “Here’s what we learned and how we can improve.”


  • Introduce change with curiosity. Use phrases like, “How open-minded would you be to trying…?” to shift the conversation from resistance to exploration.


Servant Leadership

Servant leaders prioritize their team’s needs above their own. By listening, supporting, and guiding, they build trust and foster a collaborative environment.


How to Strengthen Servant Leadership:


  • Build rapport through mirroring your team’s body language and tone of voice, subconsciously creating connection and trust.


  • Use empathetic language, such as, “I’m not sure if this is for you, but…” to introduce ideas in a non-threatening way.


Engineers meeting with business people on construction site and shaking hands

Democratic Leadership

Democratic leaders encourage collaboration by valuing input from all team members before making decisions. This leadership style empowers teams and fosters innovation.


How to Enhance Democratic Leadership:


  • Use embedded commands to guide team discussions. For instance, say, “As we consider these ideas, notice which solution feels right for the group.”


  • Frame options with clarity, such as, “The way I see it, you have three options…” and subtly guide toward the most beneficial choice.


The Worst Leadership Styles to Avoid


Autocratic Leadership

Autocratic leaders rely on control and rigid commands, leaving little room for creativity or collaboration. This “my way or the highway” approach stifles innovation and builds resentment.


How to Avoid Autocratic Pitfalls:


  • Replace commands with questions like, “What’s the best way to accomplish this task?” to encourage team involvement.


Confused man at work on his laptop

Laissez-Faire Leadership

While autonomy can be empowering, laissez-faire leaders often provide too little direction, leading to confusion and inconsistent results.


How to Balance Freedom and Direction:


  • Use presuppositions to set clear expectations. For example, “As we successfully complete this project, how can I support you?” implies accountability and success.


Transactional Leadership

Transactional leaders focus heavily on rewards and punishments, often neglecting personal relationships and long-term growth.


How to Move Beyond Transactional Leadership:


  • Shift the focus to purpose. Instead of emphasizing tasks, connect work to its larger impact. For example, “When we achieve this, we’ll provide something truly meaningful to our clients.”


Improving Your Leadership Style with NLP Techniques


Use Language to Influence, Not Control

Language is a powerful leadership tool. Use phrases like, “I’m not sure if this is for you, but…” to introduce new ideas without forcing decisions.


Empathy and Curiosity as Leadership Tools

Ask thoughtful questions to uncover what truly motivates your team. For example, “Share more about what’s challenging in this process?” encourages openness and solutions.


Focus on Outcomes, Not Problems

Guide your team toward solutions with outcome-based language. Ask, “How would it feel if we achieved…?” to connect emotionally and inspire action.


Actionable Steps to Enhance Your Leadership Style


  1. Self-Reflect: Assess whether your leadership leans toward being autocratic, democratic, or laissez-faire. Identify areas for growth.


  2. Practice Active Listening: Use techniques like mirroring and matching to build rapport.


  3. Leverage the Power of Language: Incorporate phrases like, “What happens if we…?” to guide rather than dictate.


Conclusion


Great leadership isn’t about control—it’s about connection, communication, and inspiring others to succeed. By embracing the best leadership styles and refining your approach, you can transform your team’s outcomes and cultivate long-term growth.


What leadership style resonates most with you? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

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